Sri Lanka Establishes Gambling Regulator for Online Gaming and Offshore Casinos

The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers has approved a draft bill to establish the Gambling Regulation Authority, which will oversee online gambling, ship-based casinos, and “offshore casinos” located in the Colombo Port City zone.

Authority Powers

According to a statement from the Department of Government Information, the new body will be responsible for monitoring activities related to the gambling industry in Sri Lanka, including:

• offshore gambling activities on ships,
• casinos in Colombo Port City,
• online gambling,
• land-based casinos.

The bill was introduced by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. It was proposed after approval by the country’s Attorney General.

What is Colombo Port City?

Colombo Port City is an area on the western edge of Sri Lanka’s capital, created through land reclamation. The main developer of the project is China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd, which has invested $1.4 billion in the development of the area.

Additional Regulatory Measures

As part of the 2025 national budget, the Sri Lankan government has announced a series of new fiscal measures targeting the gambling industry:

Major Market Players

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd will operate a new land-based casino as part of the City of Dreams Sri Lanka project — a $1 billion property developed by John Keells Holdings Plc.

The casino is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2025 under a 20-year license effective from April 1, 2024.